Placing the ladder on uneven or soft ground: A ladder should only be placed on level and firm ground, in a place where conditions will not change.

Neglecting to maintain three points of contact: If you don’t do this, there’s a much greater chance of your ladder tipping or you slipping and falling to the ground below.

Using the wrong size ladder: There is more than one type of ladder, and you need to choose the right one for the job. For example, using a portable ladder when an extension ladder is required is a safety risk.

Overreaching: If your ladder isn’t long enough, you may find yourself overreaching. This can cause you to lose your balance.

Missing the last rung: When climbing down a ladder, pay close attention to where you are. If you miss the last rung, you could stumble to the ground below.

These are some of the most common reasons for ladder accidents, but there are many others that require your attention.

If you are injured on the job, report the incident to your employer. As you recover, don’t push yourself by attempting to return to work too soon. Instead, if you need time off to recover, look into filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.